St Kilda forward Lance Collard has copped a mammoth nine-week suspension for the use of a homophobic slur in the VFL.<\/p>\n
The AFL on Friday deemed Collard guilty of \u201cconduct unbecoming\u201d for calling his Frankston opponent a \u201cf***ing f*****\u201d a fortnight ago.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old argued he called former Sandringham teammate Darby Hipwell a \u201cmaggot\u201d.<\/p>\n
Collard was suspended for six matches in 2024 for using the same homophobic slur.<\/p>\n
Andrew Woods SC \u2013 representing the AFL \u2013 pushed for the heavy suspension on Tuesday, citing Collard\u2019s status as a repeat offender and the need for a stronger deterrent.<\/p>\n
Woods clarified that a 10-week sanction would only be an eight-match ban if he remained in the reserves for that entire period.<\/p>\n
Michael Borsky KC \u2014 Collard\u2019s defence \u2014 said his client was \u201cjostled, roughed up and verbally abused\u201d by Frankston players during the match.<\/p>\n
Borsky said Collard had endured a \u201cfar more difficult life\u201d than any of the panellists and had been working hard to be a positive role model for Indigenous youths.<\/p>\n
He went on to call a suspension of that magnitude \u201cunfairly punitive\u201d and a potentially \u201csliding doors\u201d decision that could ruin Collard\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
Borsky asked the panel to \u201cshow some mercy\u201d on Collard, proposing the tribunal issues a substantial fine and no further suspension from play.<\/p>\n
Collard is already serving a two-match ban for high contact on an opponent in the same match.<\/p>\n
Borsky requested any new suspension should run concurrently with his existing ban, as the initial hit and subsequent melee triggered the slur.<\/p>\n
The panel heard final arguments for approximately an hour before deliberating for 90 minutes.<\/p>\n
They returned and handed down the nine-week ban, with two of those suspended.<\/p>\n
Collard\u2019s suspension comes as Port Adelaide star Zak Butters was found guilty of umpire abuse at the weekend.<\/p>\n
Butters said he only queried field umpire Nick Foot\u2019s decision, but the experienced adjudicator claimed to have been asked \u201cHow much are they paying you?\u201d<\/p>\n
The star midfielder was found guilty after a two-and-a-half hour hearing on Tuesday and will now pay a $1500 fine<\/p>\n
Power teammate Ollie Wines supported Butters\u2019 \u201c100 per cent\u201d case but it was made in vein.<\/p>\n
Foot said he was certain because \u201cwhen your integrity is questioned, you don\u2019t forget those words\u201d.<\/p>\n